Ryan Fischer memorial: Laughter cuts through the tears at Grandville High School

GRANDVILLE, MI — It can be safely said that Ryan Fischer had an appetite for life.

Fischer, or “Fish” as he was known, played varsity level football, baseball and hockey, all while maintaining good grades and a wide net of friends who counted themselves lucky to be around the handsome and gifted athlete.

“Whenever he would skate over to us with that giant smile on his face, it made all of us feel like we were a part of the hockey team,” said Sam Daniels, a senior at Grandville High School and classmate of Fischer’s since their playground days.

“He was good at making people feel like they belonged,” said Daniels. “I’ll never forget any of the memories I made with him.”

Laughter cut through the tears on Sunday, March 9, as a three-hour stream of friends took the podium inside the high school gymnasium to remember Fischer, 17, who was found dead Friday morning, March 7, after succumbing unexpectedly to an enlarged heart.

The hockey team senior co-captain died hours before the team’s state semifinal tournament loss against Detroit Catholic Central.

Students from Hudsonville, East Kentwood, Jenison, West Catholic and other high schools attended the Celebration of Life service in the Grandville gym, which was filled with No. 11 T-shirts worn in Fischer's honor.

In the hallway, photo placards reflected a rich life cut short. In the gym, the signed banner from Friday's game draped the stage and Fischer's jersey occupied the podium box.

The ad hoc memorial was organized by friends of Fischer’s family, who sat in the front row and listened to dozens of students remember the good times with Ryan. The 3 p.m. service started with prayers and the National Anthem.

Ryan Fishcer, No. 11.Courtesy: Jenn Bellgraphy Photography

Students, arms around each other’s shoulders, gently swayed to the music.

Fischer carried himself with confidence and had a strong moral center, friends said. He was a devout Christian who prayed often, liked country music and professed a strong love for his country. He had been accepted to study at West Point and anticipated joining the 2018 class in July. He wanted to study aerospace and engineering.

During a short video highlight clip, Fischer, asked to name a movie based on his life, said “I’d have to say, ‘Ryan Fischer: Defender of America.’”

Grandville hockey coach Joel Breazeale, backed by his players on stage, said the team’s run into the semifinals was “tragically brought into focus” by the unexpected tragedy.

“Ryan’s greatness was needed for better things,” he said, simply.

Many who spoke did so through sobs of grief. Dry eyes were in short supply, but there was joking, too. Fischer could be a bit of a “goofball” and was known to have a serious appetite, often going back for second, third and fourth helpings at meals.

Jake Blok, a baseball and hockey teammate, was one of several friends to reference Fischer’s fondness for Little Caesars pizza.

Blok recalled a sophomore year return trip from Ann Arbor in a van with several teammates punctuated by a sudden rendition of the country tune “White Christmas.”

“I don’t think Ryan hit a note in that whole song,” said Blok.

Friends like Troy Merriman said Fischer, a popular guy, already had an entourage when the two met on Merriman’s first day of third grade. The two became friends after Fischer invited the new kid to play kickball with the group during recess.

Other recalled how Fischer was the kind of guy who stood beside them while others would tease, or made an extra effort to ensure they felt welcomed.

Several friends referenced Fischer's love for "adventure."

Samantha Hill recalled a night she and Fischer drove around together in a downpour singing country music with the car windows down. Eventually, she said, they pulled over to run around in the street, literally singing in the rain.

Fischer, a senior, was trying to approach graduation without regrets, she said.

“You need to live in the moment,” she said, “because you never know when your last one is going to be.”

A funeral Mass will be held Wednesday morning at St. Pius X Catholic Church in Grandville. A visitation at Cook Memorial Chapel will be 4 to 7 p.m. Tuesday.